by Bruce Billington

Weekly Devotional 22nd of May, 2026

In this session, we will continue to look at Proverbs Chapter 11. 

Proverbs 11:22-24 – “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.23 The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.”

These proverbs, showing the link between a person’s heart and his or her desires, hold many lessons for those of us who wish to live wisely. 

Verse 22 provides a shocking comparison: Solomon likens a beautiful woman to a filthy, disgusting pig (Verse 22)! Pigs were considered the most vile, unclean animals in Israel. So seeing a gold ring, such as Jewish women commonly wore in their noses, in a pig’s snout was a repulsive picture and made no sense. The ring was totally wasted. Likewise, beauty is wasted on a woman who is without discretion—without a respectable character and sound moral judgment. It makes no sense whatsoever for her to allow herself to be used, misused, and abused for immoral (wicked) purposes.

Verse 22 emphasises that physical attractiveness without discretion is soon revealed to be quite ugly. We are to seek those character strengths that help us live with wisdom and integrity, not just those that make us look good. Not everyone who looks good is pleasant to live or work with. While taking good care of our bodies and appearance is not wrong, we also need to develop our ability to think and make wise decisions.

Verse 23 tells us what the desire and expectation of the righteous and of the wicked are, and how they will prove, what they would have and what they shall have. Beginning with the righteous, it says their desire is good. All they desire is that it may go well with them; they wish no hurt to any, but happiness to all; as to themselves, their desire is not to gratify any evil lust, but to obtain the favour of a good God and to preserve the peace of a good conscience. 

The wicked would have wrath; they desire the woeful day, that their gods may gratify their passion and revenge, may remove those that stand in their way, and that they may make an advantage to themselves by fishing in troubled waters.  They expect and desire trouble to afflict others, so they may exploit them - but this shall return upon themselves in harsh ways. 

The longing of the righteous is for the blessings and the rewards that God promises His people both in this life and throughout all eternity. God’s people have a glorious and blessed hope. As for the wicked, they have nothing good awaiting them. All they can expect is to reap the fruits of their ungodly deeds in this life and to receive the full measure of God’s wrath in the judgment to come.

Verses 24 and 25 present a paradox: We become richer by being generous. The world says to hold on to as much as possible, but God blesses those who give freely of their possessions, time, and energy. When we give, God supplies us with more so that we can give more. In addition, giving helps us gain the right perspective on our possessions. We realise they were never really ours to begin with; they were given by God to help others. What then do we gain by giving? Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, and God’s approval.

This is not to say that we cannot use any riches we have for our own pleasure. But this should never be allowed to become an idol to us, which it becomes when we are always seeking more and living for the next trip, holiday, or car. 

The Scriptures urge us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all we need will be given to us. 

May God bless you.